How to Use a Storage Heater

Denise SullivanUpdated March 23, 2017

Storage heaters are designed to take advantage of lower energy rates during off-peak hours. The heater runs overnight, when energy is cheaper, building up heat and storing it inside a material like brick, clay or ceramic. The heat is then released during the day instead of using on-peak electricity the way a conventional heater would. Follow these steps to set up your storage heater to efficiently heat your home.

Find out if your local utility company offers a discount for off-peak electricity usage. The money you save with a storage heater will depend on the cost difference between on-peak and off-peak usage. In some areas, a second electric meter may need to be installed at your home the off-peak energy.

Set the input switch at night to regulate the maximum temperature the storage heater will be permitted to reach while it is storing heat. Because you will be using the heater during off-peak hours only, you do not need to adjust the input switch during the day. The correct setting for your room depends on the expected weather for the next day, how long you will be running the heater during the day, and how much heat the room retains.

Adjust the output switch during the day to control the amount of warmth given off by the storage heater. When you go to bed, turn the output switch down to a lower setting to retain as much heat as possible overnight. This reduces the amount of electricity that must be used overnight to recharge the heater.

Use the thermostat to keep the room at a constant temperature whenever possible. If you have a programmable thermostat that allows you to set certain temperatures at specific times, program it for a lower temperature at night when everyone in the home will be asleep. Check your owner's manual for the exact instructions on how to program the thermostat. If you and your family have a set work or school schedule, be sure to set the thermostat so that the storage heater is not on during the hours when nobody will be home. Do not set your daytime temperature too high if the heater has not been able to store up enough heat overnight. The heater will be required to use on-peak energy if there is not enough stored heat to maintain your desired temperature, which can be quite expensive.

Tip

Conserve the heat produced by your storage heater by making sure your home is well-insulated.

Warning

A storage heater alone may not be sufficient to heat your home, depending on the timing of your heating needs and off-peak electricity hours provided by your local utility company. There is a limit to the amount of heat that can be stored in the heater at one time. Once this is exceeded, the extra heat will be dispersed out into the room. To correct this problem, adjust your input settings to reduce the amount of heat that is accumulated overnight or increase the output settings to release more heat during the day.

Things You'll Need

References

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Sullivan, Denise. "How to Use a Storage Heater" last modified May 13, 2017. http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_5117281_use-storage-heater.html

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About the Author

Denise Sullivan has been writing professionally for more than five years after a long career in business. She has been published on Yahoo! Voices and other publications. Her areas of expertise are business, law, gaming, home renovations, gardening, sports and exercise.